Automatic railway gate



May 1, 1928.

A. WIDUCH AUTOMATIC RAILWAY GATE Filed Sept. 17. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Allg/a:

@U6/zia? 6 A//UUCH A. WIDUCH AUTOMATIC RAILWAY GATE May l, 1928. 1,668,440

Filed sept. 17. 1927 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Y) il Patented May 1, 1928.

UNITED STATES saveur OFFICE.

ADAM WIDUCH, OF MICHIGAN CITY, INIBANA., ASSIGNOR GF ONE-SIXTH TO WALENTY SLIWA. AND 0NESI-X'1?II T0 STANLEYk HAYDUK, BOTH OF llllfIJCHILGAN` CITY', IN

DIANA...

AUTOMATIC RRILWAY GATE.

Application filed September 17", 192'?. Serial No. 220,174..

Theipresent invention relates to automatic railway gates andi has for its object the provisionof a gate which is operable by means ofthe train.. n

Another object of the present invention isv the `provision of a railway gate of the character indicated which maybe simple in construction and eiiicient in its operation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic railway gate for use with railway crossings which may be operated by the approaching train approaching the crossing from either direction of the crossing.

In a number of automatic railway gates known in the art the swinging members are so constructed as to prevent the vehicle which may lind itself closed in between the gates from driving either forward or backwardain which case-the vehicle would be exposed to destruction bythe approaching train. Therefore a further object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic railway gate which includes swinging members o-perableon a vertical plane provided with means to swing on a horizontal plane so as to permitthe-travel of a vehicle which may find itself between the swinging members and upon thetracli.

Another object of the present invention is 'the provision of means for locking the mechanism of the gate while the gateis in an inoperative position for holdingV the several parts ofthe mechanism in rigid immovable condition so as to avoid constant wear of the mechanism which otherwise wouldy be aused by wind or other causes exerting pressure upon the gate proper..

idf-'ith the above general objects in viewV land others that will `appear as the nature of the invention is bettery understood.. the same consists in the novel construction, combination and' arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the `appended claims.

InE the drawings forming a part of this` application and in which like designating characters refer` to corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 isa top plan view of the present invention Showing the swinging members in closed or operative position;

l wheel while the Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of the gate;

Fig. 3 is aside cross-sectional View of the gate taken alongline 3-3 of Fig. 1; u Fig. Li is an end view of the gate, partly m section and partly in elevation7 the view having been taken along line Ll---4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 isa fragmentary side view of a bar by means ofpwhich the mechanism of the gate is` actuated showing its connection with the rail, the view having beentaken along line `5y-5 of Fig.4 Ll;

Fig. (i is a transverse cross-sectional View through said bar and rail, the view being taken on line (i-G of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 an elevational sideV View of a wheel constituting part of the present invention showing the means for locking said gate is in open orinopera-V tive position; Y

Fig. 8 is a. side elevational' view of a swinging member; and

9 is a top elevational view of the swinging member.

Referring to the drawingsy in detail there are shown therein conventional 4rails 10 postioned uponV usual ties 11. Positioned' below said rails and on a plane substantially with ties 11 is a boxdike housing generally indicated by 12, which housing includes' rectangular boi; frame 13 and platforms 14 positioned upon said box frame 13 and in parallel relation with the ties, as plainly seen on Figs. 1 and 3. Adjacent the outercorners, and outside of the rails;l each platform 14 is providedwith an opening 15 for the purposes which hereinafter will be described.

For the purpose of covering thef resulting space between platforms 1.4 outer covers 16' i and central cover 17 are positioned upon the Positioned over both( of said openings 15 are housings each of which includes a pair of upright parallel Walls 18 which are in1 parallel relation with the rails, and a U- shaped cover 19 which covers and fits over said parallel walls 18. For aiixingsaid latter described housing to housing 12, or more specifically to platforms 14 said Walls 18 are CII secured or rigidly atiixed to platforms 14 adjacent the edges of opening` 15,and the U- sliaped covers 19 at their lower ends have horizontal flanges 2O which rest upon plat- Vforms 14e and b y means of which said covers 19 are mounted thereupon.

Said housing, including walls 18 and U- shaped plates l() :tor the purpose of simplicity are denoted on Fig. 1 by numeral 21 and will he referred to by that numeral in the ren'iaining description.

'lwo shafts 22 which are in transverse relation with respect to the rails 10 pass through webs et said rails and are adapted tor rotation therewithin, as seen on Figs. 5 and 6, and by their ends pass through the lower ends of walls 1S wherein they are rotatably mounted as shown on Fig. 4. Rigidly mounted upon said shafts 22 are pulleys 23 which are positioned within the lower end of housings 21 and in the openings 15.

Mounted in the upper ends of walls 18 in housings 21 are shafts 2li which are likewise adapted for rotation within said walls 18. Each of said shattsv2-t at its portion within the housings has a smaller pulley 25 rigidly positioned upon said last named shafts. The outer ends ot said shafts project outwardly ot said housings 21 and have rigidly mounted thereupon swinging members generally indicated by 26. Said pulleys 28 and 25. in each housing- 21, are connected by belts 2T which are crossed as plainly seen on Figs. 3 and it.

For the purpose ot actuating or revolving shafts 22 a pair of hars 28 are provided, one for each rail and positioned alongside thereof and outwardly of the rail track. One of said hars 28 is provided for each shaft 22 as seen on Fig. 1. so that the position of said bars 28 with respect to each other and with respect ot the crossing"Y is on a diagonal line as seen on Fig. 1. Each ot said bars 28 by its outer end is pivotally secured to one o1 the ties 11. while the inner ends of said bars 21 are suitahljv connected to shafts 22, and the coiuiecting means between said barsI 28 and shafts 22 include links 29 which have reduced upper ends by means ot which said links are pivoted within bars 28 by pins 30. The lower-ends ot said links 29 are bifurcated for receiving' therewithin the outer end ot lever 31 which is rigidly secured to each of shatts 22. lilach ot said bars 28 is adapted to be pressed upon by the wheels of the train, and the ends ot said bars 28 adjacent shaftt 22 have a curved or inclined upper 'tace so as to facilitate easy engagement ci the train wheels approaching vtrom the direction to which said inclined inner ends point.

The two pulleys 23 on the lett side ot the track are connected by means of chain, belt or cord 32 of which one end is secured to one pulley 23 as at 33 and remains at a point which is uppermost when the swinging mehr bers 2G are in au operative or closed position as plainly seen on Fig. 3. The other end of said cord 32 is secured to the opposite pulley 23 on the same side ot the track and remains at the lowermost point upon said last named pulley as at Bet when the gates are closed. A similar cord S5 connects the two pulleys 33 on the other side ot' the track, but that one end ot' said cord is at t-he uppermost point. of the pulley 23 which remains on the right side oi the crossing, reterence beinf,r had to Fig. 1, when the gates are closed. The other end, ot' said cord 35 is secured to the opposite pulley 23 on the same side of the track and the securingpoint is lowermost when-the gates are in closed position. Said cords 33and 35 are adapted to operate simultaneously regardless from which direction the train approaches.

Assuming that the train approaches trom the direction indicated by arrow in Fig. 1, the wheels oi the train will exert pressure upon bar 28 at the right side ot the crossing; which will bring about a downward swiugingr movement' of lever 31 due to the downward pressure ot link 29 at the outer end ot said lever 81. This will cause the rotation of shaft 22 toward the approaching,r train which will cause the rotation of pulleys 23 on the right side oi the crossing in the saine direct-ion, which in turn will iinpart a rotary movement of smaller pulleys 25 on the same side ot the crossing' in the reverse direction due to the crossed belts 27. rlhe rotation oi pulleys 25 will rotate shafts 24 in the same direction causing` the downward swinging movement ot `gates 2G on the saine side ot the crossing.

Simultaneously with the above operation cord 35 will he wound upon pulley 23 which remains adjacent. bar 28 now under discursion, or in other words said cord 35 will be pulledtoward or in the direct-ion et said last named bar 28. which. operation will cause the rotation of pulley 23 to which the opposite end ol cord 25 is attached, and since said end of said cord is attached to the pulley 23 now .in question at a point which is diametrically opposite from the pulley adjacent said bar 28. the rotation oi said pulley to which said other end ot said cord B5 will be rotated in the reverse direction troni that to which pulley 23 adjacent'bar 28 is rotated. This operation will cause the rotation ot shaft 22 in the reverse direction from the direction of the tirst mentioned shaft l22, that is in the direction away from the train approachingfrom the direction indicated by arrow on Fig. l. The rotation of said shaft 22 on the lett side of the crossing will also impart a rotary movement to the pulley 23 on the opposite side of the railroad track and this operation will cause the rotation of smaller pulleys 25 on said lett side of the llt? memnotmck: in: the reverse direction"` from the. irotaz tion .of pulleys` 23:,- on- .thevfsamef sideaof the track, due .to 'the'g crossed-belts 271: This operatione iwill 'camsel .rotations` offT smullen shafts 24.#.ilnzthefdirection of rotation'v oisaid smaller pulleys 25,5. inoon'sequence' of which the swinging.: members 26 onathe. l'eftsid'e o't the crossing .Wil-lbe yluough't :to an. operative or closed:position,illustratedion Figs: vl, 2 and; 3.

Assuming. thatfth'e ro'at'es 26Lare open or in upright position' and;theftrainiapproaches the crossing: fio1n1-tlie opposite. direction' `from that indicated' by thee arrow on yFig. 11 the' trainjvh'eels will press-uponf'bar 28 on .the` f left." side of: the' fcrossing, reference being mallewto'` Fig: Lwvhiclr will `cause the rotation.

ofrshaift towardy the'y direct-ion ot the appreaching'train,` through the medium of link 29.1'andf. lever 31,'. as already' described; This y"operationawill,,cause the rotation of pulleys 231011: the; lett sideiol the crossing-.in .the-

direction of' the-rotation vof shaftQEZ" on `the same side of the crossing and swinging mem-.

bers'QGt on'itheisame Iside otiithe crossing will bozbroughtptoi closed.orf-horizontal: position by virtue oli the notation oty pulleys 25. 'onf the .saine .side offthe crossing, dueto the op-V eration of the crossed belts' 27; f Sin'iultaner ousliy; with: ythis operation cord! 32 is wound upon` thel respective pulley 23,' normally, when the-gates' are. in upright position the end?` of said cord 32 remaining.substantially oust-hef plane with. platform'` llinz consequence oli which operation said cord will* be .pulled vin the' direction of the approaching train' fronzr theleft side of the crossing, and the other: end. ofrthexcrossing, whichl normally' alsomreinains substantially on the plane with` platform. 14,. will vcausel thev rotay'tiona of themop'posite pulley 23% on'` the saine side of :t-liesrailroad track` in' the reverse. di-

rection-from that oli'V the pulley to which end''- of cordYv 32' is attached. In' consequenceo't they rotation of pulley 28 to which A end' lllofcortlV 32de attached, the respective shafft. will' also; rot-ate with saidfpulley' and will. cause: the rotation of' the oppositepulley Q3 on the other sido o't the railroad. track, and; the' two pulleys will cause thel rotationA oh their respective smaller pulleys 25;v in the reverse diirectionwthrough the medium ofv belts 217,. whereby .swinging mem-1 u bers Q6* onthe right side* ot ther track will.'

be brought to horizontal-.or closedpositionf.

Itl is observed that when thcii'four swing ing." men'ibers 26 are' in .air upright ou `open position cord. S21-remains. substantially on a horizontal; planev running throughfplatw foilmsl/lran'd the? desired operation of sev'- eral pulleys' 23y'fand" their respective swingLIV ing.Y members 26, is due to=' the position ot' the two ends 'of each of th'ecords 322 and with. relation. toi the respective pulleys4 with which. saidends cooperate.

y Thus when tl're; ysWIn'giIrgf; members :26 are. 1n an upright. orJ

openwp'osit-i'on end 33 of cord. 4B2 'will re` main on its cooperating'.pulleylQ ataa point which. iswnearest to the crossmgzand'. substantiallsyon t,lieplane: with` platforms '14', t Whereas en'd 3ft' oli' said? cord: I3Q will` remain i on its cooperatling` pulley x23." at: af point:

farthest 'from' the crossing,y and', also subst'antia'lly on the. lhorizontal' plane'fwith plats.y L forms' 14K. l Asimilanpositionfof; condi S'fisl also hadz respect to its cooperating: pulleys 23: onwtheother sideoith'e track.' There, liowieueir,1l fth'enenclf of cord 35'? which is'y nearer to the adjacent bar 2&5l remains; attached tol its"cooperating:pulley; Q8'.l at ,a point which is nearestffto the crossing, While'tli'e' oppor site?4 endl -of `said cord 35- passesy underneath the'.cooper.ating:` pulley-f 25 and remains zat-f tached .toi sai'dfipullley 'at a point which 1s. farthest away from the'crossing..y The posr-- tion oi said cord 35i is likewise substantia'l'ly'l onk ai .horizontal `plane with platforms: 14

when the swingingin'iembersi 26 are in an'- up# right or open4 position.

tfis observed thatvwhen thegatesf'QG are in' an; upright orV openpositioinend' Bwot cord. 32.1' and: end ofcordr' which 'is upon its ifcoopeuating pulley adjacent its respective bar28"re1'nain at Vpoints on.: horizontal plane' with'v platforms "1.4 as already mentioned, andV when the rotation o'said pulleys is brought about bylfoperation` of eitherot theA bars 28;. due to the pressure'by train wheels, t'he'twowy tionedrupon platforms 14 and 4adjacentt'hev respective housings 21'! near thel ends.' otlfcords'f 32." and un'ow .under discussion `as plainlyi seen onulligs lv and 3p. Said pulleys: 36 'rest Sfr.

upon bi'fiurcated stands yor supports 37 which are' mounted upon the'y respective: platforms 1.4.. f Tin order that .U-shapedv covers 1.9 of thel respect-ive :housings 21" may not interfere'v with the movement of the respective cords 321" and.i ay longitudinal Slot 38'is'1nade iny the respective Uf-shapcd covers. 19v throughs which; saidv cords '32 and. 35 'are passed.

When. the gates 26; are. in ak horizontal or closed positionfthe attached ends ofy th'extwo cords 32S and 35: at' their respective@ pulleys' 28 will remain in a vertical diametrical.'plane'` running through the Vseveral pulleys 23S aS shown on lfrg. `3; i

It-is further. observed that all the pulleys Qlare. sulicientlyf wide to aceom'modatel'both;

thelfbellits :27` and the' cords lESQ/and 35 and said cords may' be attached to Itheir' respective'-` pulleys'f et. theaendsfof. said: 4pulleys 23.Which;

are either nearest to or farthest vremoved away from the railroad track.

At the ends of covers 16 which are adjaw cent. to rollers 36 Aslots 38 are made permitting free passage of the respective ends ofcords 32 and 35'as seen on Figs. l and It is observed that each of bars 28 is near to the crossing so that when the train is upon the crossing its wheels will exert pressure upon both of said bars. This, however, will not in any way interfere with the operation of the gates as is apparent from the hereinabove description.

Each of said swinging members 26 includes main portion 40 with opening 41 wherein shafts 24 are fitted. The outer end of said main portion 40 has weight 42 to facilitate opening of the gates when the train has passed and released the pressure upon either of the bars 28. Hingedly affixed to the inner end of said main port-ion 4() by hinge 43 is arm 44 which is adapted for horizontal swinging movement upon hinge 43. Said hinges 43 upon said swinging members 26 allow arms 44 to open only in one direc tion, and said hinges are upon the outer faces of said swinging members 26 as seen on Figs. l and 9, in consequence of which arrangements said arms 44 are permittedto open outwardly of the railroad track. Each of said swinging members 26 is further provided with coil spring 45 which by one of its ends is affixed to the main portion 40 of each of said swinging members while the other end of said spring is affixed to the swinging arm 44. as plainly seen on Figs. 8 and 9. Each of said springs 45 remains upon the face` of each of the swinging members 26 which is opposite to the face to which 'hinge 43is attached.

The construction of said swinging members 26 hereinabove described allows a vehicle which finds itself upon the railroad track at the time the train is approaching vand the swinging members 26 are 1n horizontal or closed position, to escape notwith-V standing the closed swinging members 26 by either continuing the travel or turning' backwardly and the pressure exerted upon ends 44 by the vehicle will causesaid ends to swing horizontally upon hinges 43 and to assume angular positions in respect of the main portions 40 of said swinging members 26. As soon as the pressure of the vehicle upon ends 44 is removed, that is Awhen the vehicle has passed the same, spring 45 will draw arms 44 to their normal position shown on Fig. 9.

One of pulleys 23 is provided with disk 46 upon one of its ends which has upon. its

periphery a projecting tooth or lug 47 which is at the lowermost point upon the periphery of said disk 46 when the swinging members 26 are in open `or upright position. Said projection 47 is adapted to lit ina depression j corresponding in shape to said projectiom which depression is made in block 48 which is adapted for upright shifting movement within frame 49, said frame having horizontal lugs 50 by means of which the frame is mounted upon any suitable base. Said .frame 49 has grooves 5l withinwhich the reduced ends of block 48 are adapted to lit and in which said reduced ends are adapted for upright sliding movement. Said block 48 has at its lower endbores 52 within which coil springs are adapted to tit. The lower ends of said coil springs 53 rest upon the base. Said springs 53 exert pressure upon said block 48 for urging the same toward disk 46. Assuming that the swinging members 26 are in open or upright position the relative position of disk v46 and projection 47 in respect of block 48 will be" the same as shown on Fig. 7. At the approach of the train pulley 23 will rotate and will bringy projection 47 48.

The above arrangement permits all of the swinging me1nbers26 when the same are in openV position tov remain stationary in their position and any swinging of thesame by wind or any other cause is thereby prevented. Since there is an operative connection between all four pulleys 23through cords 32 and 85 and shafts 22 and since all of said pulleys 23 are actuated no matter from which direction the train approaches the crossing, it does not matter upon which of the four pulleys 23 disk 46 with its-projection 47 is positioned, and said disk 46 and projection 47 will perform their intended functions with respect to all of swinging members 26.

iVhen the train has passed the crossing, then the weights 42 at the outer ends of said swinging members 26 will bring said swing# ing members to open or upright position and will recondition the mechanism to its original condition. Then disk 46 will be brought to the position illustrated on Fig. 7 so that projection 47 would engage the depression in block 48 for the purposes hereinabove described.

Vhile there is described herein a preferred embodiment of the present invention, itis nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim as new is:

l.. An automatic railway crossing gate comprising a platform, a pair of housings on each side of the crossing, lower pulleys positioned within said housings, shafts rigidly connecting each pair of pulleys'on each side of the crossing. upper pulleys disposed in said housings, belts connecting the lower pulleys with said upper pulleys, swinging members connected to said upper pulleys, bars operatively connected with each of said out of engagement from block shafts and arranged lengthwise ofthe rails on each side of the crossing, each of said bars being adapted for actuation by the train wheels, cords connecting the opposing pulleys on each side of the track, said bars being adapted to selectively rotate the respective shafts for bringing said swinging meinbers from upright to horizontal closed position, and means for frictionally engaging one of said pulleys when the gates are in upright open position for preventing swinging of the same. n

2. An automatic railway crossing gate comprising a plurality of lower pulleys, a plurality of upper pulleys, swingingmembers mounted upon said uplyer pulleys, means for actuating said lower pu eys for closing or opening said swinging members, and means for frictionally engaging one of said lower bers mounted upon said upper pulleys, means l for actuating said lower pulleys for closing or opening said swinging members, and means for frictionally engaging one of said lower pulleys when said swinging members are inkan opened position for preventing movement thereof, said means including a block positioned below said one pulley and a projection upon said pulley for engaging said block.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature.

ADAM VVIDUCH. 

